Back to map
A
Madrid
Spain

Things to do in Madrid

1,436 attractions · Spain

Photo: Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0

Community of Madrid, Spain · 40.400, -3.683

About Madrid

Madrid sits at the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, functioning as the high-altitude capital of Spain. The city is renowned for the Golden Triangle of Art, which includes the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Visitors can explore the expansive royal history at the Royal Palace of Madrid or find urban reprieve in green spaces like El Retiro Park. The city's layout is defined by grand boulevards and historic squares, anchored by iconic landmarks such as the Cibeles Fountain.

Good to know

  1. 1

    Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union, situated at an elevation of approximately 650 meters above sea level.

  2. 2

    The city is home to the world's oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botín, which has been operating continuously since 1725.

  3. 3

    Madrid contains more trees per inhabitant than any other city in Europe, with over 300,000 trees lining its streets.

  4. 4

    The official symbol of Madrid is a bear reaching up to eat fruit from a strawberry tree, an emblem dating back to the 13th century.

  5. 5

    Unlike many European capitals, Madrid was not established as a city by Romans or Greeks but was founded by the Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba in the 9th century.

Plan your visit to Madrid

Best time to visit

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures and avoid the extreme summer heat common in the interior of Spain.

How many days

3-4 days to explore the major museums, historic palaces, and primary city parks without rushing.

Getting around

The city features a highly efficient metro system, and the central districts are densely packed and largely walkable.

Where to stay

Stay in the Barrio de las Letras for a central, historic atmosphere or near Salamanca for upscale shopping and high-end dining.

Budget

Mid-range; while luxury options abound, the city offers diverse dining and accommodation options that cater to varying budgets.

Top things to do in Madrid

The 1,436 most popular places in Madrid.

Filtered by
  1. 151 Frontón Beti Jai
    Museums Popular

    Frontón Beti Jai

    Frontón Beti Jai is an iconic example of 19th-century Neo-Mudéjar architecture, serving as one of the last remaining exa...

  2. 152 Fundación Casa de México en España
    Places of interest Popular

    Fundación Casa de México en España

    Fundación Casa de México en España serves as the primary cultural bridge between Mexico and Spain, located in a restored...

  3. 153 Parque El Calero
    Parks Popular

    Parque El Calero

    Parque El Calero is a significant urban green space located in the Ciudad Lineal district of Madrid, spanning approximat...

  4. 154 Parque Lineal de Palomeras
    Parks Popular

    Parque Lineal de Palomeras

    Parque Lineal de Palomeras is an extensive, elongated urban park situated in the Puente de Vallecas district of Madrid....

  5. 155 Parque Norte
    Parks Popular

    Parque Norte

    Parque Norte is a sprawling 20-hectare urban park located in the Fuencarral-El Pardo district of Madrid. The park featur...

  6. 156 Teatro Lope de Vega
    Places of interest Popular

    Teatro Lope de Vega

    Teatro Lope de Vega is a historic theater located on Madrid's Gran Vía, primarily known as the long-standing home of the...

  7. 157 Aquarium
    Zoos Popular

    Aquarium

    The Aquarium is a specialized marine facility located within the larger grounds of Zoo Aquarium de Madrid in the Casa de...

  8. 158 Multi-use Pavilion Madrid Arena
    Venues Popular

    Multi-use Pavilion Madrid Arena

    The Madrid Arena is a circular indoor multi-purpose pavilion situated within the Casa de Campo park complex. Originally...

  9. 159 Church of Saint Manuel and Saint Benedict
    Temples Popular

    Church of Saint Manuel and Saint Benedict

    The Church of Saint Manuel and Saint Benedict is a prominent example of Neo-Byzantine architecture in Madrid, recognized...

  10. 160 Garden of the Prince of Anglona
    Parks Popular

    Garden of the Prince of Anglona

    The Garden of the Prince of Anglona is a rare example of an 18th-century neoclassical noble garden preserved within the...

  11. 161 Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    Places of interest Popular

    Universidad Complutense de Madrid

    The Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) is one of the oldest and largest universities in the world, tracing its orig...

  12. 162 Teatro San Pol
    Venues Popular

    Teatro San Pol

    Teatro San Pol is a specialized venue in Madrid dedicated primarily to children's theater, family-oriented productions,...

  13. 163 La Bombilla Park
    Parks Popular

    La Bombilla Park

    La Bombilla Park is a public green space in Madrid best known for hosting the Fescinal outdoor cinema festival during th...

  14. 164 Plaza de Quintana
    Places of interest Popular

    Plaza de Quintana

    Plaza de Quintana is a prominent neighborhood square in Madrid's Ciudad Lineal district, serving as a primary social hub...

  15. 165 Casa de Campo Lake
    Natural attractions Popular

    Casa de Campo Lake

    The Casa de Campo Lake is the central aquatic feature within the expansive Casa de Campo, a 1,722-hectare public park lo...

  16. 166 Linares Palace
    Venues Popular

    Linares Palace

    Linares Palace, now home to Casa de América, is a Neo-Baroque mansion commissioned in 1877 by the Marquis of Linares, Jo...

  17. 167 Church of Saint Anton
    Temples Popular

    Church of Saint Anton

    The Church of Saint Anton is a historic 18th-century religious site in Madrid famously known for its 24-hour social outr...

  18. 168 Parish Church of Saint Barbara
    Temples Popular

    Parish Church of Saint Barbara

    The Parish Church of Saint Barbara, formerly the Convento de las Salesas Reales, is an 18th-century religious complex in...

  19. 169 Teatro Valle-Inclán
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Valle-Inclán

    Teatro Valle-Inclán is a contemporary performing arts venue in Madrid, serving as one of the two main stages for the Cen...

  20. 170 Las Aguas Theater
    Venues Popular

    Las Aguas Theater

    Teatro de las Aguas is an intimate performance venue located in the historic La Latina neighborhood of Madrid. The theat...

  21. 171 Parque Forestal de Entrevías
    Parks Popular

    Parque Forestal de Entrevías

    Parque Forestal de Entrevías is one of the largest green spaces in Madrid, covering approximately 57 hectares of reclaim...

  22. 172 Plaza de Pedro Zerolo
    Places of interest Popular

    Plaza de Pedro Zerolo

    Plaza de Pedro Zerolo is a prominent public square located in the Chueca district of Madrid, serving as a social hub for...

  23. 173 Lázaro Galdiano Museum
    Museums Popular

    Lázaro Galdiano Museum

    The Lázaro Galdiano Museum is housed in the Parque Florido, the former 19th-century private residence of financier José...

  24. 174 Real Monasterio de la Encarnación
    Temples Popular

    Real Monasterio de la Encarnación

    The Real Monasterio de la Encarnación is an active convent founded in 1611 by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip...

  25. 175 Cathedral Church of the Armed Forces
    Temples Popular

    Cathedral Church of the Armed Forces

    The Cathedral Church of the Armed Forces, also known as the Iglesia Catedral de las Fuerzas Armadas, serves as the seat...

  26. 176 Cuarto Depósito
    Parks Popular

    Cuarto Depósito

    Cuarto Depósito, officially known as Parque Cuarto Depósito, is a green space built atop a historic underground water re...

  27. 177 Martalá-Dionisio Ridruejo Park
    Parks Popular

    Martalá-Dionisio Ridruejo Park

    Parque Moratalaz is a localized urban green space in Madrid serving as a primary neighborhood recreation hub. The park c...

  28. 178 Teseo Teatro
    Venues Popular

    Teseo Teatro

    Teseo Teatro is a dedicated theater space in Madrid specializing in performing arts productions designed specifically fo...

  29. 179 Monument to Goya
    Historical places Popular

    Monument to Goya

    The Monument to Goya is a bronze sculpture located on the western edge of the Retiro Park, honoring the 18th-century Spa...

  30. 180 Statue Isabel II
    Places of interest Popular

    Statue Isabel II

    The statue of Queen Isabella II is located in the Plaza de Isabel II in Madrid, marking the site of the former Caños del...

Explore by category

Jump straight to what you're into.

Madrid on the map

Top attractions plotted across the city.

Open full map
Open full map

Frequently asked

How many attractions are there in Madrid?

Aventuro lists 1,436 curated attractions in and around Madrid, sorted by popularity.

What's the top attraction in Madrid?

El Retiro Park is the most popular place to visit in Madrid right now.

What kind of attractions does Madrid have?

The largest category is places of interest, with 364 places to explore.

Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?

Travellers also explore Barcelona, Valencia, Seville.